Exposition
The Apostle James, was writing to Jewish Christians facing some intense trials. Christians were murdered, women raped and sold into slavery along with their children, and whatever property they owned was either destroyed or stolen from them. They were persecuted, treated maliciously, and even killed.
In spite of all these sufferings, James wrote to them to “count it all joy.” That may sound unpleasant to you, but that is what the Word says. You might not be facing the same trials that the early Christians did; however, you may face trials daily in different ways. It can be difficult to know what to do when your world comes crashing down around you. How should the Christian respond?
Like the early church, “count it all joy” knowing that the present suffering cannot be compared to the joy that will be revealed. Also, hold firmly unto your faith. You need to trust God beyond all odds that He is able to deliver you from what you are going through. There is victory at the end of every suffering so refuse to shipwreck your faith in times of difficulties, hardships and sufferings.
Furthermore, you need to exercise patience. Some sufferings come only to test our patience in the Lord. Like Job, we need to grow our patience for, in the end, God will glorify Himself. Finally pray through the challenges. Jesus, in spite of the agony He went through, prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Prayer has the power to strengthen us and turn situations around so never relegate prayer in times of challenges.